Ugly Churches equal Low Collections

A book is judged by it’s cover.  An eloquent wedding is more romantic.  Food presented well taste better.  The environment around us helps direct our attention and focus to the purpose of that environment.

Monday night football at John’s house is filled with junk food,  emotions, and friends.  It is informal and lends itself to informal behaviors.  Interviews for jobs consist of pressed suites, strong handshakes, and sharp speech.  Most times it is formal and lends itself to proper behavior.

Attendance rates have dropped significantly in many diocese across the country.  With less Catholics attending Mass the collection dwindles.  There are many reasons this is occurring; however I am only focusing on the environment of our Catholic Churches.

By returning our Churches to sacred, holy, spaces it will help catechize the laity and direct their souls to be in communion with God.

If the the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is entering into the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, than we should do all that is proper to make it fit for a king.  When people are in communion with God, they offer their entire life to Him.
The problem with low collections stem from the fact that Church has become unimportant in the hearts of many Catholics.

They feel no need to tithe or give of their time.  In many instances the parish has made the mass insignificant to their flock by taking our the reverence.

The thought that eliminating sacred vessels, pious practices, beautiful vestments, and traditional architecture has not increased people’s faith, but decreased it.  Those vessels, practices, and vestments help direct our senses to what is being reveled.  Therefore, every object in the Church should help direct the congregation into holy worship to God.

7 Improvements for Mass Attendance

1.  New Vestments – Vestments are expensive, however they can be hand made by parishioners, found on eBay, located in the missions, purchased from Rome, or taken out of storage.

2.  Sacred Vessels – Yes gold is expensive, but there are many diocese who have saved their vessels from closed Churches which are inexpensive.  In addition ask for donations, look in storage, or look overseas.

3.  Alter Cloths -  The Alter is in the center of the Church where everybody looks.  Make it sacred.

4.  Statues, Devotional Images, Stained Glass – All of these can be found on eBay, closed Churches, or overseas.  Look in the basement.

5.  Kneelers – If they have been taken out, put them back in.

6.  Rubrics – If the Church says it does or doesn’t belong in the Church, then follow it.

7.  Pray – Offer up mass for the parish or hold a parish novena.

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